The Pirates spent years fielding one of baseball’s weakest lineups. Now, their 110 wRC+ ranks second in MLB and nearly matches the 1971 Lumber Company’s production. Alex Stumpf examines how additions like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn, bounce-backs from Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, and immediate contributions from Endy Rodriguez, Konnor Griffin and Esmerlyn Valdez have transformed the offense. The bats can no longer merely support the pitching. They must carry it.

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